Western Australia's isolated, luxury retreat

THIS is the kind of place which sends spa junkies gaga - and the best part is, it's right in our own backyard, with all the privacy you'll need.

Injidup Spa Retreat is completely isolated and hidden among 1200ha of Western Australia's Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

It's just a short stroll down to a beach that there's every chance you will have to yourself. And if that's not enough, it's just a short drive to some of Australia's best food and, of course, the wine country.

The 10 villas, all with private heated plunge pools, are hidden from view behind some dense scrub. The resort blends into its surroundings the designers have been careful to leave only a tiny footprint on the coastline.

On my visit, the coast was at its dramatic best.

WA was under cyclone threat and while nothing much eventuated, I had a front-row seat to enjoy the show. I peeled back the curtains and opened the over-sized bifold glass doors, so I had an uninterrupted view of Mother Nature's forming fury.

The sky quickly turned from a school-shirt shade of grey to a deep, dark purple and green. The wind growled and the resort's foundations groaned. When things looked really bad, I shut the doors and retreated inside. Within minutes, the threat had disappeared almost as quickly as it had arrived.

What I do/don't like This is tricky, as it is the same thing. The isolation means you will relax when you stay here. Guaranteed. The natural beauty and the sea air will whisk away all your troubles.

However, that same isolation means you always have to get in your car to get things. There is no walking up the street for a bite to eat ... it's too far.

The spa The spa uses the Sodashi range of products. It is at the top of the hill, overlooking the villas and one of the therapists, Joel, is a former Buddhist monk. The 90-minute Fusion massage is the spa's signature treatment.

The damage This is not for the budget-conscious traveller. I was able to book a two-night stay for two people over a weekend for $1800. Villas book out very quickly, so make sure you plan ahead.